Happy September!Whether it's back to school time for you or not, this time of year never-the-less makes it feel like it's time for a fresh start. We are feeling it, and are excited to dive in with you and help you refresh your story and your materials. This month we'll be sharing advice and ideas on how to hone in on how you tell your story, both in writing and verbally. Once you have that down, you'll find that it'll be easier to pursue and get opportunities and reach your goals!

Fact: you are the only person in the world who does exactly what you do in your unique way. As artists and creatives, we all occupy so many different roles in our lives that sometimes we need a boost in seeing the big picture. We need to assure that we stand out in our vibrant, saturated, creative communities. So, how do you let your audience know who you are, tell your story in a compelling way, and genuinely show that your artwork or creative products are so incredibly unique? We’ll cover a step-by-step process below.

Sharing your unique story in a professional, genuine way is undoubtedly important because potential customers and patrons want to know who you are and where you come from; it gives them confidence to know about you, makes them comfortable and interested, and they can connect with you and your work in a profound way. Your story is part of your identity, whether that’s a brand identity for your product or who you are as an artist.

By confidently conveying your professional creative self, you will be able to reach several goals that come along with having a strong story and identity:

You will sell work. If there’s a strong story behind your work, it’s going to be a lot easier for people to hold on to it, remember it, and want it.

People will be more inclined to follow you on social media if they can connect with you and recognize themselves in your story. You want to form a bond with your audience and the best way to do that is by sharing.

With your story loud and clear on your website, people will feel comfortable reaching out to you for commissions, purchases, or to collaborate on projects.

The first step in feeling confident in telling your unique story is to set aside quality time to write. Set aside one uninterrupted hour on a timer and answer these questions:

Who are you and how do you want to be defined? For example, you might work a day job as an accountant, but make jewelry in your spare time, with the hopes of eventually launching a jewelry business. So you would state that you are indeed a jewelry maker.

Write out your professional bio as a creative. Look back at the work you’ve made, where you’ve showed it, who has purchased it, and any press you’ve received and sing your own praises. Just starting out? Don’t worry about it. Definitely touch on any education, workshops, and experiences you have along with your passion for the work.

Write out a detailed description of your work or project. What does it look like, how is it made, what kind of materials do you use, what does it feel like? Be as specific as possible.

What is the inspiration behind your work? This can be anything and everything, don’t hold back.

Next, after a short break, read over what you’ve written and highlight the parts that are unique to you. Make a separate list of these unique traits and translate these facts into a written story about yourself in the first-person. For example, you might have started out by describing yourself as a jewelry maker (of which there are thousands), but now you are able to describe yourself as a jewelry maker who uses brass fittings and rope from the hardware store to make bold, sculptural statement necklaces inspired by your life growing up on the New England coast helping your grandfather repair his boats. It’s pretty likely that no one else can claim that exact story, and this specificity will make your audience want to learn and see more.

The added bonus of adding specific details to your story is that they can also help shape your logo and the look of your website if you are getting ready to launch an online store. The jewelry maker in the above example might be inspired to incorporate nautical elements into her logo or decide that she wants all the product photography to be taken on a weathered dock to reference her story.

January 31st is the last day to get The Ultimate, Honest Guide to Understanding Artist Taxes on sale for 20% off! Use the link in profile to get the discount! The Ultimate, Honest Guide to Understanding Artist Taxes will teach you: How to overcome the fear that prevents many artists from getting all of the tax benefits they could be entitled to; What your tax responsibilities are as an artist; The concept of the Schedule C: what it’s for and why you should use it; Whether filing your taxes as a business is appropriate for your arts practice; The difference between hobby vs. business rules and why they are a pitfall for artists plus much more! #artisttaxes #taxesforartists #sulighttax #hannahcole #delveart #artistempowerment #creativebusiness #creativeentrepreneur

This Friday in Brooklyn! Back by popular demand! Hannah will be back in town to give her super-informative tax workshop. Come learn: What can I deduct? Do I bring receipts to my accountant? Is my art a business or a hobby? What is a Schedule C? How do I deduct my home studio? Hannah Cole is a tax expert who specializes in working with creative businesses and artists. A long-time working artist, the financial challenges of freelancers and small creative businesses are both relevant and personal to Hannah. She will discuss the basic tax equation, self employment tax and the estimated quarterly tax system, audit concerns for the working artist, and other tax issues specifically relevant to artists, followed by a question and answer period. Hannah Cole is the founder of Sunlight Tax, which specializes in friendly, informative tax preparation for artists, and engaging, art-world savvy tax education workshops for artist groups. Link in profile to sign up! #taxesforartists #taxworkshop #sunlighttax #creativeentrepreneurs #creativebusiness #artsgowanus #hannahcole

Just because it's good to re-read this letter every once in a while...
Sol LeWitt writing to Eva Hesse in 1965:
"Dear Eva,
It will be almost a month since you wrote to me and you have possibly forgotten your state of mind (I doubt it though). You seem the same as always, and being you, hate every minute of it. Don’t! Learn to say “Fuck You” to the world once in a while. You have every right to. Just stop thinking, worrying, looking over your shoulder, wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting, hoping for some easy way out, struggling, grasping, confusing, itching, scratching, mumbling, bumbling, grumbling, humbling, stumbling, numbling, rambling, gambling, tumbling, scumbling, scrambling, hitching, hatching, bitching, moaning, groaning, honing, boning, horse-shitting, hair-splitting, nit-picking, piss-trickling, nose sticking, ass-gouging, eyeball-poking, finger-pointing, alleyway-sneaking, long waiting, small stepping, evil-eyeing, back-scratching, searching, perching, besmirching, grinding, grinding, grinding away at yourself. Stop it and just
DO"
#justdo #lettertoevahesse #sollewitt #evahesse #inspirationforartists

You might be wondering how the new tax legislation affects you as an artist/freelancer. @hannah.cole.painter of Sunlight Tax breaks it down for you in a FREE 15 minute video. Empower, educate and protect yourself! Link in profile to full video. #artistshelpingartists

If you have asked yourself any of these questions, you should join us in Brooklyn next Friday to get the answers! Hannah Cole is a tax expert who specializes in working with creative businesses and artists. A long-time working artist, the financial challenges of freelancers and small creative businesses are both relevant and personal to Hannah. She will discuss the basic tax equation, self employment tax and the estimated quarterly tax system, audit concerns for the working artist, and other tax issues specifically relevant to artists, followed by a question and answer period. Hannah Cole is the founder of Sunlight Tax, which specializes in friendly, informative tax preparation for artists, and engaging, art-world savvy tax education workshops for artist groups. Link in profile for more info and to sign up! #taxesforartists #taxworkshop #creativeentrepreneur #creativebusiness #artbusiness #professionalpractice #sunlighttax #hannahcole @hannah.cole.painter

Beautiful show at Morgan Lehman’s new 2nd Gallery. #ericaprince and #osamukobayashi Also, don’t forget to sign up for the Taxes for Artists workshop with Hannah Cole happening in Brooklyn on January 26th! Link in profile. #artisttaxes #artistempowerment #creativeentrpreneur #creativebusiness #taxworkshop #taxseason #sunlighttax

Back by popular demand! Hannah will be back in town to give her super-informative tax workshop. Come learn! What can I deduct? Do I bring receipts to my accountant? Is my art a business or a hobby? What is a Schedule C? How do I deduct my home studio? Hannah Cole is a tax expert who specializes in working with creative businesses and artists. A long-time working artist, the financial challenges of freelancers and small creative businesses are both relevant and personal to Hannah. She will discuss the basic tax equation, self employment tax and the estimated quarterly tax system, audit concerns for the working artist, and other tax issues specifically relevant to artists, followed by a question and answer period. Hannah Cole is the founder of Sunlight Tax, which specializes in friendly, informative tax preparation for artists, and engaging, art-world savvy tax education workshops for artist groups. To register, click link in profile. #taxesforartists #sunlighttax #taxseason #taxworkshop #creativebusiness #creativeentrpreneur #artistempowerment

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